ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Fentanyl has been a driving force behind crime, homelessness, and deaths in New Mexico. Now, there’s a new agent in charge of tackling the drug problem at our state’s border.
“This is what we do, and we are the very best at it,” said Towanda Thorne-James, the new special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) El Paso Division, which also serves New Mexico. Thorne-James outlined her plans to tackle the fentanyl crisis Thursday at a press conference.
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“Our main focus is on combating these cartels that are responsible for the influx of these drugs and so at the end of the day we are solely focused on combating the cartels and saving lives,” explained Thorne-James.
Coming from the East Coast, Thorne-James has never worked for a border state but says she has a lot of experience to bring to the table after working for the DEA since 1998. Over the years, she said she has seen drug smugglers change their strategy with the times. “They are using social media and apps as a one-stop shop,” said Thorne-James.